Although
there has been a long-simmering conflict between dissidents and the al-Bashir
government, the latest demonstrations show signs of an escalating conflict that
some are labelling a 'Sudanese spring'.

And although the latest confrontations show some similarities to Arab Spring uprisings, many caution against the lumping them together.

Although many of the images and videos coming out of the region cannot be independently verified, Al Jazeera has found representatives willing to step forward and tell the world what is happening in Sudan.

(If the elbow-licking image above seems strange, here's the context: Omar
al-Bashir has suggested that efforts to oust him from power are as hopeless as
attempting to lick one's elbow. Protesters hope to prove him wrong.)

Al Jazeera reported that this video, shot at the University of Khartoum on June 24, features protesters calling for freedom, media coverage of the uprising, and an end
to military rule and dictatorship.

Human Rights Watch recently reported that security forces have arrested scores of protesters, opposition members, and journalists. They also say the forces have brutally beat people in detention, and used both rubber bullets and live ammunition to break up protests that they say began on June 16 on the University of Khartoum campus.

Human Rights Watch has interviewed more than a dozen witnesses, protesters, and former detainees in Khartoum and Omdurman. They are also in contact with other groups monitoring the protests, which have spread to Madani, Sennar, Gedarif, Port Sudan, Hasahisa, and other towns across Sudan.

"This is the country that has been ruled since 1989 by President Omar al-Bashir -- the man who faces a global arrest warrant after being charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court for his country's exterminationist policies in Darfur."

Caryl argues that mainstream media organizations have been slow to react, and that international attention is greatly needed.

"Meanwhile, editors at the big Western media outlets should
send more reporters to illuminate the latest events in Sudan -- and not because
that would support budding democrats. Quite simply, there's a huge story in the
making here."